Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.

Radio Interview with the Austrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Rosie MacLeod spoke to Michael Zimmermann, the new Austrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, about the presidency and Austria's place within the European Union more generally.

Rosie MacLeod · January 21, 2019

Von der Leyen in Vienna - Europe Is Shaping an Army

At a meeting of the defence ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in Vienna, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen once again called for a common European army and closer cooperation.

January 18, 2019

Meet Austria's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Gabriela Sellner

Following her appointment by the Austrian Council of Ministers in April last year, Dr.a Gabriela Sellner has now been accredited as Head of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Vienna), IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO.

January 11, 2019

New Appointments of Austrian Diplomatic Posts Abroad

At its meeting of 25 April 2018, the Austrian Council of Ministers decided to entrust the following Foreign Ministry officials with the direction of Austrian Missions.

April 25, 2018 · Updated: January 11, 2019; 17:15

Carlos Morales Dávila - New Permanent Representative of Nicaragua Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations (Vienna), Carlos Morales Dávila, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.

January 11, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Sherzod Asadov

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Sherzod Asadov presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

November 7, 2018 · Updated: January 11, 2019; 11:00

US Filmmaker Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf Go Wild as Guest Curators at the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts

The American director Wes Anderson, known from films such as "The Grand Budapest Hotel" or most recently "Isle of Dogs", and his partner, the writer and costume designer Juman Malouf, were invited by the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts (KHM - Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien) to design an exhibition according to their taste. The result is an exhibition entitled "Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures".

January 10, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Iceland to Austria: H.E. Mr. Bendikt Ásgeirsson

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Iceland to Austria, H.E. Mr. Bendikt Ásgeirsson presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 9, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Anthony Mukwita

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Anthony Mukwita presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 9, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Austria: H.E. Ms. Pirkko Mirjami Hämäläinen

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Austria, H.E. Ms. Pirkko Mirjami Hämäläinen presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 9, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Austria: H.E. Mr. Sithong Chitnhothinh

The new Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Austria, H.E. Mr. Sithong Chitnhothinh presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 9, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria: H.E. Mr. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri

The new Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria, H.E. Mr. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 9, 2019

Vienna's UNODC Receives EUR 10 Million in Funding Agreements from UK

The United Kingdom and UNODC have signed two new funding agreements with a joint worth of EUR 10.13 million to strengthen UNODC's anti-corruption activities.

January 7, 2019

Global Report on Trafficking in Persons Launched in Vienna

The report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was presented by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov at a special event of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. Drawing on information from 142 countries, the report examines trafficking trends and patterns, and puts the spotlight on human trafficking in armed conflict.

January 7, 2019

Neil Richard Bush Appointed New Head of UK Delegation to the OSCE

The British FCO Foreign & Commonwealth Office has confirmed that Mr. Neil Bush will take over as the new Head of the UK Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna in March 2019. He succeeds Ms. Sian MacLeod OBE, who has held this position since August 2015.

January 7, 2019

New Austrian Foreign Trade Strategy: Growth, Jobs, Prosperity

In a joint event in the Aula of Sciences, the Federal Government's new foreign trade strategy was presented by Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and President of the Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer. The key points of the strategy are the following: Perspective, value orientation, location effect, focal points, future orientation, communication, efficient coordination.

December 20, 2018

Austria's State Leaders Receive Authoritarian Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi) also visited the Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Parliament on the fringes of the EU-Africa Forum (High-Level Forum Africa-Europe), at which he received a EUR 350m commitment from the EIB to finance the expansion of the Cairo Metro. Every meeting emphasised that bilateral relations between Austria and Egypt were very good and that cooperation was to be extended. The former General, who is controversial because of his authoritarian style of government, had already made a clear rejection of the so-called "disembarkation platforms" in Egypt to the EU Council President Sebastian Kurz in Cairo during the summer.

December 19, 2018

Leonard Bernstein - "I am enjoying Vienna enormously - as much as a Jew can"

An exhibition in the Jewish Museum Vienna to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the star conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein focuses on the New Yorker’s relationship with the music city of Vienna, looks at the great artist’s Jewish roots, and also pays homage to his political activities.

December 14, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to Austria: H.E. Ms. Youngor Sevelee Telewoda

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to Austria, H.E. Ms. Youngor Sevelee Telewoda presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 11, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Austria: H.E. Mr. Retselisitsoe Calvin Masenyetse

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Austria, H.E. Mr. Retselisitsoe Calvin Masenyetse presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ramses Joseph Cleland

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ramses Joseph Cleland presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Togolese Republic to Austria: H.E. Mr. Komi Bayédzè Dagoh

The new Ambassador of the Togolese Republic (Togo) to Austria, H.E. Mr. Komi Bayédzè Dagoh presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to Austria: H.E. Mr. Manuel Estuardo Roldán Barillas

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to Austria: H.E. Mr. Manuel Estuardo Roldán Barillas presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Austria: H.E. Mr. Donatas Kušlys

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Austria, H.E. Mr. Donatas Kušlys presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of Georgia to Austria and to the United Nations in Vienna: H.E. Mr. David Dondua

The new Ambassador of Georgia to Austria and to the United Nations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. David Dondua presented the United Nations Office at Vienna's Director-General Yury Fedotov with his letter of accreditation. On 7 December 2018, he presented Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen at the Presidential Chancellery with his letter of credentials.

November 15, 2018 · Updated: December 10, 2018; 19:14

Meet the New Ambassador of Brazil to Austria: H.E. Mr. José Antônio Marcondes de Carvalho

The new Ambassador of Brazil to Austria and to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. José Antônio Marcondes de Carvalho presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov and to the Director General of UNIDO, Li Yong. On 7 December 2018, he presented Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen at the Presidential Chancellery with his letter of credentials.

November 30, 2018 · Updated: December 10, 2018; 13:10

Soros University Leaves Budapest in Favor of Vienna

In Hungary, the Central European University (CEU) has faced massive hostility. As a consequence, the location will be relocated to Vienna. Michael Ignatieff, the rector of CEU, announced this week in Budapest that the university is finally moving: "This is a dark day for freedom in Hungary, and it's a dark day for academic freedom." In Vienna, negotiations are still underway on a suitable building for interim use from 2019. By 2023, the university is to move permanently to the grounds of the Otto Wagner Hospital.

December 6, 2018

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Visits IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf

Her Royal Highness Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden visited the laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Seibersdorf, Austria to understand how nuclear techniques help IAEA Member States with food and agriculture, human health, industrial applications and the environment.

December 4, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay

H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay is the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Austria, Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia and the Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna.

November 30, 2018

Albania and OSCE Establish Cooperation in the Field of Freedom of the Media

The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and the Vienna based OSCE have agreed on a new co-operation on anti-defamation package and rules for online media to ensure that future legislation is supportive of freedom of expression, media freedom and access to Internet.

November 29, 2018

Reinsurer VIG Re to Expand to Paris

After opening an office in Frankfurt a year ago, another West European representative office is now to follow in Paris. The new branch will be headed by Patrick Chevrel. As part of the Vienna Insurance Group, VIG Re has been founded in 2008 by being established as a core player in the reinsurance market in Austria and CEE, and now also in certain West European countries.

November 26, 2018

How to Eliminate Violence against Women?

In context with the UN-sponsored campaign "International Day for the elimination of violence against women", there are various initiatives against violence against women not only at the UN, but also in Brussels and Vienna. Federica Mogherini announced that the EU has decided to allocate an additional €5 million to support the projects of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege. And the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Austrian Integration Fund, is participating in the campaign "16 days against violence against women".

November 26, 2018

Sebastian Kurz: EU and Switzerland to Intensify Relations Further

Federal Chancellor Kurz held a working meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset in Bern. The meeting focused on, among other topics, an assessment of Brexit, the Western Balkans, the nuclear agreement with Iran, relations with Russia and the priorities of the Austrian EU Presidency.

November 22, 2018

Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna - Austria to Win Israel's Favor

A high-ranking conference against antisemitism with the motto "Europe beyond Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism - Securing Jewish Life in Europe" took place in Vienna. Participants included Ariel Muzicant, Vice-President of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Education Minister Heinz Faßmann, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, EPP Group Leader Manfred Weber, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Anatoliyovych Klimkin and Chancellor Kurz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had had to cancel his participation at short notice because of the government crisis in his home country. Likewise not a single official representative of the Austrian Freedom Party was present.

November 22, 2018

The OPEC Fund OFID Has A New Director-General

Saudi Arabian national Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has taken over the post of Director-General of the OFID (OPEC Fund for International Development) from his predecessor Suleiman J Al-Herbish at the former Palais Deutschmeister at Vienna's Parkring 8. His task is to implement OFID's objective, which is to reinforce financial cooperation between OPEC Member Countries and other developing countries, by providing financial support to the latter for their socioeconomic development.

November 22, 2018

Foreign Minister's Liechtenstein Visit Strengthens Bilateral Relations

Karin Kneissl travelled to Vaduz for a working discussion with her counterpart from Liechtenstein, Aurelia Frick to discuss current developments such as the most recent status of the Brexit negotiations and the cooperation in multilateral matters.

November 22, 2018

The New Location Development Act - Significance for Austria's Attractiveness as a Business Location

The Austrian government has passed the highly controversial Location Development Act in the Council of Ministers, which will speed up environmental impact assessments, be passed by the National Council this year and come into force on 1 January 2019. The new legislation will introduce automatic permits for certain energy infrastructure projects (eg, electricity grids and power plants). Positive reactions are coming from industry and politics. Various environmental associations criticise the new law.

November 22, 2018

Vienna Service Office - Connecting the City of Vienna with UNO CITY for 30 Years

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Service Office in the UNO City, Director General of UNOV, Yury Fedotov and the new Mayor Michael Ludwig confirmed the good and close cooperation between the City of Vienna and the local UN organisations.

November 22, 2018

80 Years of November Pogrom - Remembrance at the Site of the Former Leopoldstadt Temple, at Judenplatz near the Shoah Memorial and in Parliament

Austria commemorated the events 80 years ago. Austrian Shoah survivors from Israel received in Parliament at the Hofburg. President of the National Council Sobotka asked Austrian Shoah survivors for forgiveness. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen already reminded the day before at a commemoration ceremony of the November pogroms at the Psychosocial Centre of the Vienna Israelite Community. On the commemoration day he laid a wreath at the Shoah memorial on Judenplatz.

November 9, 2018

Erection of the Vienna Shoah Memorial Wall about to Begin

The long-planned project of a name memorial wall for the 66,000 Jews murdered in Austria during National Socialism is about to be realized. Kurt Tutter, initiator of the name wall, explained the significance of the new memorial, which will be erected in Ostarrichi Park. For him, it was a matter of commemorating his family as well as families unknown to him who had been completely wiped out by Nazi crimes.

November 9, 2018

Reception for Holocaust Survivors in the Austrian Parliament: "Never again!"

Rabbi Arthur Schneier from New York, speaking at the reception for Holocaust survivors in parliament, called for a common commitment to "Never again" and to live together in peace and mutual respect.

November 9, 2018

Austria Strengthening Venture Capital Structures with Seoul and Shanghai

Margarete Schramböck, Austrian Federal Minister for Digitisation and Business, visited Seoul, the capital of South Korea and China's greater Shanghai metropolitan area, together with a high-ranking delegation of experts from the fields of digitisation, science and business, with the aim of strengthening Austria as a location for innovation.

November 9, 2018

Young Scientists Summer Program: "The Best Experience You've Ever Had In Your PhD"

Since 1977, IIASA’s annual 3-month Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) offers research opportunities to talented young researchers (PhD students) whose interests correspond with the institute’s ongoing research on issues of global environmental, economic, and social change. IIASA is now again looking worldwide for both sponsors and visionary young scientists who would like to apply.

November 9, 2018 · Sponsored Content

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Mirghani Abbaker Altayeb Bakhit

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mirghani Abbaker Altayeb Bakhit presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

November 7, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Austria: H.E. Ms. Mikaela Kumlin Granite

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Austria, H.E. Ms. Mikaela Kumlin Granite presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

November 7, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Austria: H.E. Ms. Natasha Meli Daudey

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Austria, H.E. Ms. Natasha Meli Daudey presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. She is also the Permanent Representative of Malta to the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, to the United Nations and to the International Organisations based in Vienna.

November 7, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria: H.E. Mr. Kemal Kozarić

The new Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria, H.E. Mr. Kemal Kozarić presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

November 7, 2018

Meet the New USA Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna (United Nations, IAEA, CTBTO) - Jackie Wolcott

Jackie Wolcott, of Virginia, is the new Representative of the United States to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, the new Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the new Representative of the United States of America to the CTBTO Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, with the Rank of Ambassador.

November 2, 2018 · Updated: November 7, 2018; 13:00

Western Balkans - No Reconciliation in Kosovo Conflict

Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Serbia and Kosovo during a trip to the Western Balkans. Since the last clash between the two heads of state Vučić and Thaçi in September, the talks have been suspended there. The EU should continue to support the search for a solution to the Kosovo conflict.

November 7, 2018

New Ambassador of Peru Also Accredited by Austrian Federal President

In the meantime, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Austria, H.E. Mr. Eric Anderson Machado, has handed over his credentials to Federal President Van der Bellen at the Vienna Hofburg.

November 7, 2018